Quick Concept for Leave What You Find

Grabbing Your Group's Attention (15 minutes)

Ask participants how scientists know what dinosaurs looked like. (They find
fossils and reconstruct the skeletons.) It is important for scientists to find
the pieces in their original positions (relative to one another) so that they
can see how the pieces fit together. The same is true for
cultural—human-made—artifacts.

The Activity

Use three simple picture puzzles. Break the puzzles apart. In a yard,
sandlot, or playground, scatter all the pieces of one puzzle in a small area. In
another location scatter just two or three pieces, and in another location leave
just one piece. Split the group into three teams and have one group at each
location recover the pieces. Ask the groups to try reconstructing their puzzle
or describe the picture based on the pieces they have found.

The Discussion

Ask each group how easy it was to reconstruct the puzzle. Discuss the
following:

The importance to scientists of finding fossils or artifacts
where they were originally deposited

The effects of intentional vandalism or theft of fossils or
artifacts

The effects of unintentional impacts (driving off-road,
hobby collecting, campsite construction). Ask participants if they can think
of other ways fossils and artifacts can be lost or damaged. Discuss how
these resources can be viewed and enjoyed onsite without damage. Remind the
group that on public lands it is against the law to remove or destroy these
resources. Refer to the Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace for
more details to help stimulate this discussion.

Although this Quick Concept deals with fossils and artifacts, the principle leave
what you find applies to all things that should remain undisturbed in the
backcountry. Wildflowers, petrified rock, and nests are examples of other
discoveries to leave for others to enjoy.